Help - 9 week old BF baby fussing, pulling off breast, refusing to feed - had vaccinations a few days ago

[gastrognome]

Hello,
I could really do with some help/advice. My 9 week old baby has been really fussy since yesterday and I'm finding it increasing hard to feed her. She's always suffered a bit of discomfort from wind/possetting and so we've been giving her infacol before every feed since she was about 3 weeks old and it's helped a lot. We also try and burp her during/after feeds, especially if I hear her swallowing air.

Since yesterday evening she's been increasingly fussy every time I try to feed her. She'll latch on fine, start feeding and then pull off, screaming. Burping/changing position/changing sides makes no difference. She just keeps rooting, latching on, taking one swallow and then screaming and pulling off.

She had a couple of OK feeds during the night and one good feed today when she was very drowsy, but all other feeds have been a nightmare.

She is fine apart from this, not crying more than usual or anything. She is showing her usual hunger signs (chewing fists, rooting), but can't manage to feed.

I did take her for her first round of vaccinations on Tuesday (Polio/Diphtheria/Tetanus etc) and wonder if there could be a link between her fussiness now and the jabs being done, though she hasn't shown any other signs of discomfort.

Can anybody help? I'm started to get worried as her nappy is hardly wet at all and I'm scared she's not eating enough.

TIA

Could be. Or could be sore ears (infection) or similar?

Thanks. Hadn't considered the possibility of an ear infection.

We have just given her some paracetamol and it seems to have helped a bit as she has just managed a slightly longer feed.

Things have got worse again this morning despite another dose of paracetamol. Managed to feed her during the night but now she has started fussing, screaming and pulling off again. Nothing seems to work.
Not sure it is her ears as lying down doesn't bother her - just the actual feeding.

Could it be that your milk is coming out too fast?

Might it be possible reflux and the problem is only becoming apparent now as the reflux has hurt the oesophagus cumulatively over the last few weeks? Is your baby excessively drooly??

My DS has had exactly the same reactions as your baby, and these are the two avenues we are exploring.... Have just started a course of ranitidine for the relux.

Well, fast letdown has been an issue from the start but I thought I had found ways to deal with it (mainly by letting it flow into a towel or muslin and thenrelatching baby when flow slows down). I'm not sure that's the problem here, though, as when she is struggling with the fast flow baby coughs and splutters and spits milk, whereas now she is pulling off and screaming before the milk has even started to flow properly.

Reflux is possible, though baby isn't drooly, particularly. Is that a sign of reflux?

I have also just read that loss of appetite and abdominal pain are possible side effects of the DTaP vaccine so am wondering if there is indeed a link with the jabs last week, though i'm not sure if side effects would still be felt after so many days.

I'm loath to do too much googling about the side effects of the vaccine as I keep coming across scare-mongery type sites about the dangers of vaccinating babies...

Anyway baby seems slightly more settled right now and has managed a little feed so am feeling a bit better.

I'd second the ear infection theory. DS had it and the paediatrician gave us ear drops which did the trick. Can you ask your dr for some?

My DD is 13 weeks and behaves exactly as you describe. She only feeds well when very drowsy, otherwise she screams even before let down (and I also have a fast letdown). No tips here I'm afraid, but just to let you know that you're not alone! (and even with the "screamy feeds" as I call them my DD is still putting on weight at a good rate so hopefully yours will too).

Thanks BudapestMummy, that does make me feel better!

Thrush? DS suffered from this. He was struggling to feed as his mouth was sore. Check for white patches on the tongue/roof of the mouth. Are your nipples suddenly sore?

Hi gastrognome,

Apologies for only replying to your message now. Excessive drooling can possibly be a symptom of reflux. Apparentlt, excessive amounts of drool is generated to neutralise the burn of the stomach acid coming up in the reflux.

More often that not, its the more likely teething sign.

Hope all is well and your baby is fussing less now.

Hello,
Thanks for replies!
Baby is a lot better now, though the fussing and screaming went on for almost a week.

She is due her second lot of vaccinations in a couple of weeks so if the same thing happens again after the jabs I'll know there's probably a link. If not, I'll just put it down as One of Those Things!